We have detected your current browser version is not the latest one. Xilinx.com uses the latest web technologies to bring you the best online experience possible. Please upgrade to a Xilinx.com supported browser:Chrome,
Firefox,
Internet Explorer 11,
Safari. Thank you!

Avnet has formally introduced its MiniZed dev board based on the Xilinx Zynq Z-7000S SoC with the low, low price of just $89. For this, you get a Zynq Z-7007S SoC with one ARM Cortex-A9 processor core, 512Mbytes of DDR3L SDRAM, 128Mbits of QSPI Flash, 8Gbytes of eMMC Flash memory, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, and Bluetooth 4.1. The MiniZed board incorporates an Arduino-compatible shield interface, two Pmod connectors, and a USB 2.0 host interface for fast peripheral expansion. You’ll also find an ST Microelectronics LIS2DS12 Motion and temperature sensor and an MP34DT05 Digital Microphone on the board. This is a low-cost dev board that packs the punch of a fast ARM Cortex-A9 processor, programmable logic, a dual-wireless communications system, and easy system expandability.

I find the software that accompanies the board equally interesting. According to the MiniZed Product Brief, the $89 price includes a voucher for an SDSoC license so you can program the programmable logic on the Zynq SoC using C or C++ in addition to Verilog or VHDL using Vivado. This is a terrific deal on a Zynq dev board, whether you’re a novice or an experienced Xilinx user.

Avnet’s announcement says that the board will start shipping in early July.

Stefan Rousseau, senior technical marketing engineer for Avnet, said, “Whether customers are developing a Linux-based system or have a simple bare metal implementation, with MiniZed, Zynq-7000 development has never been easier. Designers need only connect to their laptops with a single micro-USB cable and they are up and running. And with Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, users can also connect wirelessly, transforming a mobile phone or tablet into an on-the-go GUI.”

Be sure to join the Xilinx LinkedIn group to get an update for every new Xcell Daily post! ******************** Steve Leibson is the Director of Strategic Marketing and Business Planning at Xilinx. He started as a system design engineer at HP in the early days of desktop computing, then switched to EDA at Cadnetix, and subsequently became a technical editor for EDN Magazine. He's served as Editor in Chief of EDN Magazine, Embedded Developers Journal, and Microprocessor Report. He has extensive experience in computing, microprocessors, microcontrollers, embedded systems design, design IP, EDA, and programmable logic.